IceCube-Gen2 as a cosmic-ray detector

Understanding the origin of high-energy cosmic rays (with energies from around PeV to EeV) is a significant challenge. They must at least partially come from the most powerful sources in our Galaxy, and partially from extra-galactic accelerators. A very unique observatory, which will be able to study cosmic rays in this energy range is the currently-planned IceCube-Gen2. Primarily designed to study high-energy neutrinos, this facility will feature a ~6 km2 array of scintillation detectors and radio antennas, detecting mainly the electromagnetic component of cosmic-ray induced air-showers. The in-ice optical array will provide information about the associated high-energy muonic component. Such hybrid measurements will not only enhance the determination of crucial cosmic-ray observables, but will also contribute to a better understanding of the hadronic part of their atmospheric cascades, which remains inconsistent with some of the observed data. In this talk I will describe how IceCube-Gen2 will be able to contribute to the advancement of the high-energy cosmic-ray physics.